Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2, Episode 22
Original Air Date: July 17, 1989
While exploring the planet Surata IV, Riker is bitten by... something. Back in sickbay, the infection advances rapidly through his nervous system, threatening to kill him. Dr. Pulaski fights back by inducing emotionally intense memories.
Basically, "Shades of Gray" is a clip show. More specifically, it's a Riker-themed clip show. We get a little tour of some of the more intense Riker moments over the first two seasons: getting it on with various women, watching Tasha die, fist fights, brushes with death, etc. Having stayed with the series through the screenwriters' strike and ponied up for big budget episodes like "Elementary, Dear Data," the studio insisted on one more, low-cost episode. "Shades of Gray" is what they got.
"Shades of Gray" is a popular choice for worst episode of the entire series. In fact, it has the lowest IMDb rating of all. The writers themselves were embarrassed by their own work. Admittedly, clip shows are inherently lame and the plot they tried to build around this one wasn't great. And it's not as if they even mined all of the best material available, failing to document the very real progress in Riker's character. That said, I don't hate it. If anything, it's fun to see how far the show has already come in two years: improvements in Data's and Worf's makeup, for instance. Other episodes, even in this second season, were more painful to watch for me. I'm not saying "Shades of Gray" is good. I'm saying there have been worse.
 |
| via Memory Alpha |
Basically, "Shades of Gray" is a clip show. More specifically, it's a Riker-themed clip show. We get a little tour of some of the more intense Riker moments over the first two seasons: getting it on with various women, watching Tasha die, fist fights, brushes with death, etc. Having stayed with the series through the screenwriters' strike and ponied up for big budget episodes like "Elementary, Dear Data," the studio insisted on one more, low-cost episode. "Shades of Gray" is what they got.
"Shades of Gray" is a popular choice for worst episode of the entire series. In fact, it has the lowest IMDb rating of all. The writers themselves were embarrassed by their own work. Admittedly, clip shows are inherently lame and the plot they tried to build around this one wasn't great. And it's not as if they even mined all of the best material available, failing to document the very real progress in Riker's character. That said, I don't hate it. If anything, it's fun to see how far the show has already come in two years: improvements in Data's and Worf's makeup, for instance. Other episodes, even in this second season, were more painful to watch for me. I'm not saying "Shades of Gray" is good. I'm saying there have been worse.
*****
Thoughts on Season 2
General Impressions
My friends, it looks like we're actually going to have a tolerable show! After the limping mess that is Season 1, skepticism was merited. But even with ups and downs, the pieces were starting to fall into place. Most of the principal characters were granted meaningful background development and the relationships between them became more clear. The world aboard the Enterprise got welcome expansion with the addition of Ten Forward and its proprietor, Guinan. A compelling arch-nemesis was established in the form of the Borg. Perhaps most importantly, especially for a Trek series, the moral compass was clarified.
Favorite Episode: "Peak Performance"
Case in point: this was a much easier choice in Season 1 with far fewer viable candidates. I would say Season 2 has three classics worthy of the name along with a robust second tier. "Elementary, Dear Data" is an art direction masterpiece. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's London and particularly the period costumes for our Trek friends are expertly designed. Plus, Moriarty is the best villain we've seen so far. Meanwhile, "The Measure of a Man" left me with the most to write about as the clearest expression yet of TNG's moral intent.
"Peak Performance" is the true gem, so understated in comparison to the other two. I feel the series settling into itself. It's been a rocky first two years for TNG. They've had to weather the writers' strike plus the loss of two principal cast members. Here, finally, in the season's penultimate episode, one senses everyone feels comfortable with their own characters and with each other. All of the principals get quality material - even Wesley, no small feat. The relationships feel credible and dependable. They're not just saying they care about each other, believe in each other - we can see it. Maybe context matters. Perhaps without knowing where we've been and also what's coming, this story isn't such a big deal. But it is a big deal. This is the show I love, not because it's Star Trek but because it's The Next Generation.
Least Favorite Episode: "The Schizoid Man"
Of all the main cast, Brent Spiner is the most susceptible to Shatner-esque overacting. As such, Data is the perfect character for him, a reasonably confining box. I don't mean that as a criticism. He's an excellent actor for the part. But if you let him out of that box, there can be trouble. I can't stand Lore and his "possessed Data" performance in "The Schizoid Man" is definitely over the top. Plus, I want to vomit every time he refers to Dr. Graves as "Grandpa." Maybe I'm meant to feel uncomfortable. If so, it worked.
Favorite Recurring Character: Guinan
I love everything Whoopi Goldberg brought to Star Trek. She has the acting chops to field memorable, serious moments - she gets one of the very best in Season 3 - and also a comfortable, professional ease with the comedy. Her screen time is minimal but she always adds value to the story. The enigmatic character history - only hinted at - is highly intriguing. Plus, she's a civilian and that should not be underappreciated in regards to the franchise as a whole. She is not a principal - too many movie commitments at that point in her career - but she kicked open the door for civilian principal characters in future, spinoff series.
Favorite Blast from the Past: Diana Muldaur
Okay, I've been critical of Dr. Pulaski and I'm hardly alone in not caring for the one-season, Dr. Crusher stand in. But let's give some credit to the actress herself. It's clear she wasn't promised much, only ever listed as a "special appearance by" guest star. Nor did she benefit from strong writing. It wasn't her fault that Gates McFadden was fired, though perhaps it's inevitable that the fans - and the cast? - would hold it against her. I am certainly glad that Dr. Crusher came back but Muldaur made a genuine contribution.
Why does she qualify as a blast from the past? She had two guest-starring roles in the original series: Ann Mulhall in "Return to Tomorrow" and Miranda Jones in "Is There in Truth No Beauty?" Interestingly, both characters also held the title of Doctor.
Favorite Guest Actor, One-Shot: Daniel Davis
Easy choice. Moriarty ("Elementary, Dear Data") is the best villain TNG has had so far. Here's what I wrote about the character in my original post for the episode: "...charming yet deadly. One gets the sense Dr. Pulaski doesn't half mind
being kidnapped. Moriarty accepts defeat graciously, though not with
total resignation." As soon as the story ended, I was already eager for more.
Onward
Season 3 awaits. Folks, we're about to dig into the good stuff.
My friends, it looks like we're actually going to have a tolerable show! After the limping mess that is Season 1, skepticism was merited. But even with ups and downs, the pieces were starting to fall into place. Most of the principal characters were granted meaningful background development and the relationships between them became more clear. The world aboard the Enterprise got welcome expansion with the addition of Ten Forward and its proprietor, Guinan. A compelling arch-nemesis was established in the form of the Borg. Perhaps most importantly, especially for a Trek series, the moral compass was clarified.
Favorite Episode: "Peak Performance"
Case in point: this was a much easier choice in Season 1 with far fewer viable candidates. I would say Season 2 has three classics worthy of the name along with a robust second tier. "Elementary, Dear Data" is an art direction masterpiece. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's London and particularly the period costumes for our Trek friends are expertly designed. Plus, Moriarty is the best villain we've seen so far. Meanwhile, "The Measure of a Man" left me with the most to write about as the clearest expression yet of TNG's moral intent.
"Peak Performance" is the true gem, so understated in comparison to the other two. I feel the series settling into itself. It's been a rocky first two years for TNG. They've had to weather the writers' strike plus the loss of two principal cast members. Here, finally, in the season's penultimate episode, one senses everyone feels comfortable with their own characters and with each other. All of the principals get quality material - even Wesley, no small feat. The relationships feel credible and dependable. They're not just saying they care about each other, believe in each other - we can see it. Maybe context matters. Perhaps without knowing where we've been and also what's coming, this story isn't such a big deal. But it is a big deal. This is the show I love, not because it's Star Trek but because it's The Next Generation.
Least Favorite Episode: "The Schizoid Man"
Of all the main cast, Brent Spiner is the most susceptible to Shatner-esque overacting. As such, Data is the perfect character for him, a reasonably confining box. I don't mean that as a criticism. He's an excellent actor for the part. But if you let him out of that box, there can be trouble. I can't stand Lore and his "possessed Data" performance in "The Schizoid Man" is definitely over the top. Plus, I want to vomit every time he refers to Dr. Graves as "Grandpa." Maybe I'm meant to feel uncomfortable. If so, it worked.
Favorite Recurring Character: Guinan
 |
| via Memory Alpha |
Favorite Blast from the Past: Diana Muldaur
 |
| via Wikipedia |
Why does she qualify as a blast from the past? She had two guest-starring roles in the original series: Ann Mulhall in "Return to Tomorrow" and Miranda Jones in "Is There in Truth No Beauty?" Interestingly, both characters also held the title of Doctor.
Favorite Guest Actor, One-Shot: Daniel Davis
 |
| via Memory Alpha |
Onward
Season 3 awaits. Folks, we're about to dig into the good stuff.
I so agree with you about Season 1 and 2 but they were trying to find their feet with the characters plus the writer's strike did not help. I could not stand the episode where Tasha talks to the kid that drugs are not cool. I threw up in my mouth a little over that hammer on the head episode. I also thought the tar monster who fed on fear was horrible and reminded me of the horrible films (that I love) from the 1950s. Brent Spiner is an excellent actor when kept in tow but when he plays his brother or his dad, I want to have those characters meet a grisly end. This is where the actor feels he is important and his narcissism shows. Poor Diana Muldaur got no respect which is a shame. I never understood why Gates McFadden was fired
ReplyDeleteTo oversimplify, she got on the wrong side of the head writer. When he left, she was invited back.
Delete(I think at some point Google sort of required Chrome to coordinate its features. So I downloaded it on my phone, and I can comment again...)
ReplyDelete“Shades of Gray” receives so much hate, I think, mostly because the producers were themselves embarrassed to need a clip show to save money, in the season finale of all things. I think, rather, the best way to view it as a celebration of Riker, who at this point in the series was eclipsing Picard. It took the abrupt turnaround next season to change all that, so it’s really a victory lap all around, to acknowledge what the series was, in hindsight, in much the same way Enterprise later chose to spotlight Trip rather than Archer in its final episode (though most fans still think of it only, ironically, in terms of Riker’s, and Troi’s, guest spot).
Imagine what a clip show of Riker would’ve looked like later...! How much first/second season footage do you think we would’ve seen?
And as far as the grave sin of clip shows goes, it’s not actually any different from “The Menagerie.” There a whole episode was repurposed without ever getting to see something new from Pike except another actor in heavy makeup playing him completely immobilized. I think the whole thing would’ve been stronger if we actually saw a bond between Pike and Spock. That’s hindsight, too; obviously it was just an excuse to repurpose the original pilot, and we tend to appreciate it for what it is (Discovery has a great moment in its second season in which Pike confronts this destiny).
Wow, you raise a lot of interesting points. Naturally, I would argue with you on a few of them...
DeleteI disagree on Riker eclipsing Picard, though it wasn't for lack of trying on the writers' part. They were giving him more stories but I still don't quite feel they've settled on who he is. Plus, Frakes doesn't look quite comfortable in the part yet. Stewart's leadership - as both actor and character - is subtle and steady. To me, there's never any real question that TNG is his show. The other stories wind around his but he is the frame supporting the whole operation. Interestingly, I don't think Stewart became Picard as easily as Shatner became Kirk. For all of the well-merited criticism of old Bill, I think that is an underappreciated manifestation of Shatner's talent: from Day 1, it was as if he'd been Kirk his whole life. It wasn't quite like that for Stewart.
However, I think Stewart deserves as much credit as anyone for Star Trek's continued survival and expansion, 64 years and counting. Without him, TNG doesn't make it and the spinoffs don't happen. The movie franchise never goes past #6. The TV revival never happens. Giving him a second series 30 years later is only just. They owe him!
I don't see "The Menagerie" as quite the same. Yes, they used recycled material but the audience had never seen it before. "The Cage" wasn't aired until 1988.
I look at “The Measure of a Man,” the usual argument for best of the first two seasons, and for me it’s Riker who unquestionably comes out looking better, between him and Picard. Picard gets the standard good guy role, but it’s Riker beating himself up over not only prosecuting Data’s life but believing he actually succeeded...There’s no moment better than that in these seasons, and Picard can’t top it. Add to that Minuet, and that alone is a tall resume where Picard has, basically, Dixon Hill in his favor over that same timespan (Q doesn’t become a valuable sparring partner until later), and still awkwardly integrating himself into the crew as other than a standoffish moral authority who can’t decide how he feels about Wesley Crusher.
DeleteI understand the magnetic presence of Patrick Stewart and how much he meant to the production, but in terms of tangible impact, Jonathan Frakes was given and delivered more. “A Matter of Honor” is another towering example! You can tell how Riker was always considered a get-out-of-jail-free card in case Stewart didn’t stick around, a point that persisted quite famously until the end of the third season, why it was always so important whether or not he accepted his own command. Until his loyalty to Picard was finalized, it was the open question that reflected the question. But the third season changed all that. Suddenly Picard is no longer a question at all, but then the whole season is about announcing the series feels comfortable in its own skin.
First, I would happily entertain a case for "The Measure of a Man" as the best so far. For me, the weakness in that one is Maddox. He's annoying. Moriarty is a far superior nemesis. For that reason, "Measure" would actually be #3 so far for me.
DeleteSeasons 3-5 are the heart of the series. Favorite episodes off the top of my head? I'll take 4: 2 are in Season 3, 2 are in Season 5. Plus, we get Beverly back, then unload Wesley. I am champing at the bit...
I watched the Riker episode of Picard in the last week or so, and Frakes didn't feel at all like Riker in the episode. It's like Frakes and the writers forgot who Riker was.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's part of the problem: who is Riker? Is that ever truly clearly established. I like the character and I often enjoy the stories that focus on him. But who is he and why is he there? I have wondered if, at least initially, the plan was to tell more of the story from his point of view rather than Picard's. After all, that's part of what's cool about TNG as opposed to TOS: by the end of the run, it's easy enough to imagine the story from any of the principals' perspectives. But of all of them, I find Riker's story the most puzzling.
DeleteAnd is Frakes the problem? I have no problem believing that he's a decent, earnest guy but I often feel he looks uncomfortable on screen. He acts confidence but does he feel it? He acts strength but does he feel it? He acts Riker but does he actually feel Riker? I don't know.
The character is stronger by the end of Season 2 than he was at the end of Season 1. I can say that with confidence.
We'll be checking in on this one again, to be sure.
I don’t know, I don’t see a problem with the consistency of Riker’s character. Writing so much about him in these comments it might seem I think the world of him, but honestly I don’t tend to give him too much thought.
DeleteMaybe because I’m thinking of the whole shape of his career as it was eventually laid out whereas you’re reacting to what you’ve been watching...
When we meet him Riker is a brilliant, young career officer who has left behind a long relationship...with the ship’s counselor. But he’s eminently professional about it, and yet we see an immediate glimpse of the man behind the uniform in the holodeck when he meets Data. This is a guy who believes in duty and loyalty, but duty before loyalty, but above all else his ideals, which he wants to believe Starfleet believes in, too. In a previous posting his commanding officer betrayed his trust. He finds Picard instantly better, and so he settles in.
He doesn’t seek out attention, but if something interesting (Minuet) turns up he pays attention. We find out his problems accepting just any authority figure (if you want to call it that) probably stem from his dad. (Honestly, it would’ve been better to see dad again later.)
Anyway, loyalty becomes paramount to his career the longer he stays under Picard. He finds a family aboard the Enterprise. He opens up more and more: the trombone, the poker games. He even decides he (probably) okay with Worf romancing his ex.
By the end of the month cues, he’s finally reunited with the ex. That’s a huge development! Arguably that’s why he finally accepts his own command, because he’s formed a separate new family and now feels confident in his ability to build on it. (Again, his dad and that previous c.o.)
When we catch up with him in Picard, he’s truly settled in. Honestly, I can imagine no more appropriate fate. Family first, duty second. It’s a natural evolution. Even when he got a transporter duplicate, the first thing the duplicate does is what Riker himself seemed to have abandoned: reuniting with the ex. That’s because in the absence of an obvious family, he fell back on duty. Duty leads to loyalty, loyalty leads to family. And then the reverse.
(By the end of the movie series, he’s finally reunited with the ex.)
Delete(I have to remember to actually edit before publishing these comments. As if I ever learned in the first place.)
An excellent analysis, Tony. I have been following the Riker character with particular interest in this re-watch and shall continue to do so.
DeleteBut regarding Frakes, let's compare him with Michael Dorn. Granted, I'm all in on Worf. But so is Dorn! His investment in the character is total and I don't think he gets enough credit for that. In fact, it's easy to forget that there's actually a human behind all of that Klingon makeup. I never lose myself in Riker in quite the same way.
Again, I will be following Riker with great interest. Let's keep this conversation open.
Also, Worf has a much more dramatic character arc. When we meet him he’s a Klingon’s Klingon who has no connection at all with his people (they “are now alien” to him, as he says in “Hide & Q”). When he has K’Ehleyr to play off of, he seems very Klingon indeed, though! And then he and his brother and the painful process of reintegrating with Klingon society, filled with fits and starts (which doesn’t truly end until DS9), and the relationship with Alexander, and the romance with Troi. (And then Jadzia in DS9.)
DeleteAdd to that the shoulder pads, the ridges, the hair, and the voice, and Michael Dorn has a ton of obvious things to play with. Riker is a lot more subtle than that. His biggest change during the series is growing the beard!
It’s also worth noting you’re not alone in fixating on Worf. He became a template that Stargate SG-1, Farscape, Andromeda and then Stargate: Atlantis (which was also Jason Mamoa’s breakthrough role) happily followed, the big guy with gravitas.
DeleteActually, as long as we're here, I think Riker's relationship with Worf is the most interesting thing he's got going.
DeleteEven allowing for the costume and makeup help, I still think Dorn is the superior actor. I never forget Frakes is an actor playing a part.
You ought to see him in Ted 2 with a bootleg, cosplay Worf look. He never really had a fair shake outside of Star Trek.
DeleteTo his credit, though, he doesn't cry in his beer about it. As he puts it himself, the one role brought far more work than most actors ever get.
DeleteI never hated this episode, but I was about as completely indifferent to it as human can get. "Time Squared" was my favorite of that season, but I'm sucker for mysterious time abnormalities.
ReplyDeleteAs noted, I get impatient with those story but I can acknowledge they're part of Trek. I can certainly understand the appeal of "Time Squared" on those terms.
DeleteHey Squid I can identify with these now I have to admit Shades of Gray was a freaky episode and the sound effects, lol. Measure of a man I wrote about way back when in 2007 but only briefly. How could Riker do that to Data? Whoopi and Q pure awesome! lol. Dr Pulaski: It does know how to do this! - speaking of course about Data, she was a class act, brillo! Moriarty was a cool hologram, he knew how to play the crew using the computer and by using his intelligence found reality at least one he believed in.
ReplyDeleteThe Guinan/Q stand off is definitely one of the Season 2 highlights - maybe even the best part of that episode.
DeleteI didn't know Whoopi was a part of Star Trek! Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalia! Enjoy the week.
Delete